Traffic flow outside the tollgate leading to Murtala Muhammed Airport was badly interrupted on Sunday as the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, implemented a new cashless payment system for vehicles entering the airport.
The development caused extended gridlock, leaving hundreds of cars and air travellers delayed, and traffic flow to and from both the domestic and international terminals was severely disrupted.
FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, confirmed the policy adjustment, stating that the cashless initiative was implemented to prevent revenue leakages within the system.
Congestion led several air travellers to ditch their autos and ride motorcycles in a frantic attempt to make their flights. Commercial motorcyclists, despite existing limits, reportedly increased fees by up to 200 percent.
Several motorists were witnessed spending nearly 20 minutes at the tollgate for trips that would ordinarily take less than a minute, adding to the frustration at the entrance point, which serves as a main gateway into the airport complex.
Some drivers were also spotted in heated discussions with toll authorities about faulty electronic transfers and payment confirmation delays.
Many people accused FAAN of producing unnecessary confusion, claiming that the agency did not fully inform the public before implementing the policy.
Adebayo Awojobi, one of the impacted motorists, criticised the situation, claiming to have been detained in traffic for about an hour.
He voiced alarm about how much worse the situation could get on a weekday, noting that officials on the ground were unprepared for the influx of customers.
However, Agbebire denied concerns of insufficient public awareness, claiming that the crackdown is consistent with the Federal Government’s overall goal for a cashless economy.
He claims the approach is intended to reduce extortion, increase transparency, and strengthen FAAN’s revenue profile.
According to the spokesman, the confusion was caused in part by users who waited until the last minute to comply. He also stated that FAAN has enough access cards available for motorists.
“The card itself is issued free of charge, but once it is loaded with N2,000 or N1,000, a maintenance fee of N500 is deducted,” says Agbebire.